News Detail

Faculty and Students Awarded Grants for Service-Learning Projects

03/27/2014

At the start of the spring semester, six students and four faculty members received good news and learned that their applications for the Community-Based Service-Learning Civic Engagement grant had been approved. The College’s Center for Community Engagement funded the grant submissions to be put towards spring semester service-learning courses.

Students Sandy Brannigan, Emily Green, and Mallory Milligan were seeking funds for their Social Change through Service (PSJS 250), taught by Professor Lee Chase. The funds will benefit CP Rochester, a non-profit organization to help support people with physical and developmental disabilities who are working to accomplish individualized life goals. The $400 grant will help the students create a video series on manners, proper workplace behavior, and proper workplace attire. The money will also buy CP Rochester an HDTV for clients to view the video as a group and engage in reflection.

Chemistry Professors Dr. Irene Kimaru and Dr. Kimberly Chichester, along with their Analytical Chemistry II Lab (CHEM 316L) class, are using their grant to work with non-profit community partner Lots of Food. The organization turns disused food into edible landscapes. Kimaru and Chichester’s class is putting the $250 grant towards hydrochloric and nitric acids to extract lead from the soil.

Dr. Natalie Masco, Professor in the Wegmans School of Nursing, and her Complementary and Alternative Therapies (NURS 314) class are using the $250 grant to benefit the patients of the Mercy Outreach Center. The students are researching and presenting on the uses of complementary and alternative therapies such as massage, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy to the patients. The funds are being used towards equipment, supplies, and books. It is also creating a fund for patients who would benefit from alternative therapies but cannot afford it.

Senior Karlee Platts received a grant for her Reading Gender (WGST 214) class, taught by Dr. Jill Swiencicki. The grant will support Melita House of Mercy Outreach Services, which provides support and shelter for homeless teen women and young women with children. Platts, in partnership with Lindsey Kocher, who is a service scholar, will develop a scrapbooking workshop to encourage self-esteem, family history, and community-building. The money will be used for a digital camera, digital photo printer, and albums to create books to enable reflection and goal-setting.

Pharmacy Professor Dr. Amy Parkhill and fourth-year pharmacy student Tia Lum received a $500 grant to help Melissa’s Living Legacy Teen Cancer Foundation. Teens Living with Cancer is a support group and social network dedicated to enabling young people with cancer to live their very best lives today. TLC’s program called TLC fit is intended to enhance fitness, quality of life, and community among those affected. Parkhill and Lum, along with their class Advanced Pharmacy Practice (PHAR 6400) class, will use the funds to purchase exercise equipment and help meet the program’s goals.

Student Sean Lavin, under the instruction of Professor Lee Chase in Social Change through Service (PSJS 250), will use his $200 grant to benefit the Center for Youth’s Monroe High School After-School Program. Two tablets will be purchased with the grant to integrate technology, documentation, reflection, and academic learning within a new Green Room and Horticultural Club. These were previously developed through Gannet Foundation funds obtained through Fisher’s Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement.